21st Amendment Brewery Blood Orange Brew Free or Die

What the brewers say

“Brewed like our original West Coast−style Brew Free! or Die IPA, but with an abundance of fresh blood-orange puree and a twist of citrusy dry hops. Refreshingly different. As Abe would say, ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.’”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Intense, almost singular citrus punch to the nose. It’s oily, like citronella, with some earthiness and spice. Getting some zest, fresh-squeezed juice, and some lemon. It’s so sharp and fresh that everything else is lost in the background.”

Flavor: “The orange-juice flavors are so strong that they almost hide a seemingly decent base IPA. The flavors are very tart, juicy, and zesty. Some resinous hops flavors that might also be from the citrus rind. A little sweetness from the malt and light-bodied, with very fresh flavor.”

Overall: “The orange dominates the flavors in the beer, and it needs more depth. It’s very singular and captured the whole gestalt of the orange. Still, it’s crisp, fresh, and refreshing. The brightness of the orange added a dimension to the base beer that was welcoming.”